Degreasers are used extensively for the removal of contaminants like grease and oil in workplaces that regularly use heavy-duty machinery and engineering.
What is degreaser used for specifically?
We thought we’d share some of the most common uses for degreasers, some of which may surprise you.
1. Carburettor cleaner (without disassembly)
Degreasers are a mechanic’s best friend with a huge number of applications and uses. One of those is cleaning carburettors without disassembly.
A carburettor is a device that mixes air and fuel at an appropriate ratio for combustion in an internal combustion engine.
Over time, contaminants like gum, varnish, resin, paraffin and other deposits can build up in the valves, decreasing the efficiency and performance of the engine.
Degreasers help remove these contaminants without having to disassemble the carburettor itself. This saves a huge amount of time for professionals and can even be done by your everyday car enthusiast too.
2. Cleaning your brakes (also without disassembly)
Keeping your car brakes clean is important for a whole host of reasons. Safety is the obvious one but taking care of your brakes also increases their efficiency, reduces noise and stopping distances, while prolonging their lifespan too.
Degreasers are a highly effective and easy way to clean your brakes without having to pull them apart and put them back together again.
As an aerosol, you simply spray and watch the grease, oil and other deposits dissolve away. It’s a process that literally takes minutes, if not less, making it easily one of the best solutions for getting the job done.
There’s a huge range of brake degreasers available too, each with its own unique traits like high-pressure sprays, fast-drying solvents and even water-based degreasers too.
3. Cleaning food production equipment
Cleanliness and hygiene are some of the most important aspects of the food production and processing business, if not the most important.
The industry is highly regulated, and extremely high standards must be met at all times. Failure to do so can make businesses liable for sanctions and at worst, potentially make consumers ill.
Food grade degreasers play a vital role in removing and protecting food processing machinery from contaminants, cutting through grease, animal fats and oils quickly and easily.
These degreasing agents have been rigorously developed so they are safe to use on nearly all surfaces.
4. Cleaning hard surfaces
While some degreasers are made for removing heavy-duty contaminants, there are plenty of situations where light contaminants are just as much of a problem.
Hard surfaces like workbenches, walls and glass are perfect examples of this, requiring degreasers that will do the job effectively without damaging the surface itself. Hard Surface Cleaners are degreasers designed precisely for this purpose.
They are non-toxic, pH neutral, non-flammable and can be used on just about any washable substrate or surface.
5. Cleaning your workshop
If you’ve ever worked in an industry that heavily utilises machinery, tools and equipment, you’ll understand the incredible number of mechanical parts there are and how much cleaning of those parts is required.
Parts degreasers take time and hard labour out of this process due to their industrial-strength formula that cuts through even the toughest contaminants.
It’s ideal for heavy-duty mechanical parts and equipment like engines, auto parts, industrial machinery, hydraulic systems, conveyors, chains and more.
Parts degreasers are often used as sprays but also exist as concentrates for basin washers, often a more practical option for handheld pieces and tools.
7. Removing labels and adhesives
Old labels and adhesives can be a real nuisance to remove by hand, a process that is slow, intricate and exhausting.
Degreasers can make this task a whole lot easier with a formula that can remove adhesive labels and uncured adhesives.
These degreasers often have a few other elements, like natural d-Limonene oil, that help penetrate and lift the adhesive while also leaving a pleasing scent.
The other advantage of this is that it leaves no oily residue, meaning there’ll be no sign the previous adhesive label was ever there.
8. Removing oil stains from garages and driveways
You’ll also find degreasers that are formulated specifically for removing oil stains from garages and driveways.
This is fantastic for the workplace and home, both being places you’ll often find annoying and unsightly oil stains from cars.
The nature of these stains means these degreaser cleaners work in a slightly different way to others featured on this list.
They are first applied usually as an aerosol on the stain. They are then left for a few hours, during which time a powder forms. The residue is then brushed away with a stiff brush, taking the stain along with it. It’s an incredibly easy way to solve a pesky problem.
Some great uses of degreasers
As you can see, there is a wide range of fantastic uses for degreasers, ranging from heavy-duty industrial applications to those at home.
They come in a variety of products, each with its own unique traits, but they all serve the same purpose well. They fight grease, oil and other contaminants with ease for fantastic results.